Why are my grows so slow?

I'm still new to this so I could be wrong, but I feel like every time I check an organic grow out on growdiaries the plants are exploding by week 3 and my plants are always lagging behind, comparatively speaking. I'm currently running two photos and two autos and it pisses me off to see how fast some of these other autos perform. My method is to use FFOF (plus perlite, Myco and EWC) and top-dress every 3 - 4 weeks...so no liquid nutes.

I know I shouldn't compare and just be patient - my competitive side is saying wtf but my objective side is legit wondering if organic medium and slow release nutrients are always going to be slower than liquid salt-based nutes (even if they are also organic) -- is this just the way it is, or am I still doing something wrong?

How are your temps & humidity?
Seed source?
Watering frequency?
Checking ph in the soil?
What lighting is being used?

Temps: 73ish F
Humidity: 55%
Seed Sources: Garden of Greens, Seedsman, Ace, Sweet Seeds
Watering: every 2-3 days (dechlorinated and ph 6.3 - 6.5)
Checking soil in ph: no (it's FFOF so I assume it's buffered well enough)
Lighting: SF-1000, SF-2000 (checking PPFD to be appropriate based on Jorge Cervante's guide + manufacturers guidance)

One thing I am wondering about is soaking/moistening the soil for a week or two before planting...I haven't done this but am curious if it effects the speed of nutrient uptake from day 1

jimbonorman said:

Temps: 73ish F
Humidity: 55%
Seed Sources: Garden of Greens, Seedsman, Ace, Sweet Seeds
Watering: every 2-3 days (dechlorinated and ph 6.3 - 6.5)
Checking soil in ph: no (it's FFOF so I assume it's buffered well enough)
Lighting: SF-1000, SF-2000 (checking PPFD to be appropriate based on Jorge Cervante's guide + manufacturers guidance)

One thing I am wondering about is soaking/moistening the soil for a week or two before planting...I haven't done this but am curious if it effects the speed of nutrient uptake from day 1

Click to expand...

Plants grow considerably faster at 83°f than 73°f under LED lighting; I'd start there if you think your growth is slower than it should be.

The seed soaking will have no effect on growth rate

Try increasing your biology if your using dry organics imo. But as long as the plant is healthy then i agree its most likely an environmental/genetics issue
Oops my reading sucks this early lol i see you do add biology.

I agree with Billy. I would get the temps up. It can grow in the cooler temps, but it’s not ideal to the plants liking, so it’ll act up.

jimbonorman said:

Temps: 73ish F
Humidity: 55%
Seed Sources: Garden of Greens, Seedsman, Ace, Sweet Seeds
Watering: every 2-3 days (dechlorinated and ph 6.3 - 6.5)
Checking soil in ph: no (it's FFOF so I assume it's buffered well enough)
Lighting: SF-1000, SF-2000 (checking PPFD to be appropriate based on Jorge Cervante's guide + manufacturers guidance)

One thing I am wondering about is soaking/moistening the soil for a week or two before planting...I haven't done this but am curious if it effects the speed of nutrient uptake from day 1

Click to expand...

73ish Fahrenheit with LED is way too low. I am surprised they aren't showing serious deficiencies at that temperature. Higher temps increase plant metabolism and growth. You want to be around 80-84 with LED.

With the warmer temps in led grows, the RH goes up too. Like 82f 60% rh is typically a great starting point.

Agree with everyone with regards to temps.

But also what's the crack with your hours of light?
Your running two autos with two photo periods.
Are the photos on flowering lighting schedule or vegging?

Interesting - ok good to know about the temps. Thanks everyone.

coreywebster said:

Agree with everyone with regards to temps.

But also what's the crack with your hours of light?
Your running two autos with two photo periods.
Are the photos on flowering lighting schedule or vegging?

Click to expand...

Autos are in a 2x2 with the sf-1000 at 19/5. Photos are in a 2x4 with the sf-2000 at 18/6

MidnightSun72 said:

73ish Fahrenheit with LED is way too low. I am surprised they aren't showing serious deficiencies at that temperature. Higher temps increase plant metabolism and growth. You want to be around 80-84 with LED.

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I grow under LEDs, and on my current grow the temp has never been above 74 or below 68. I'm sure they would have vegged faster if it were about 10 degrees warmer, but I haven't seen any major deficiencies or anything like that.

I think temperature is something where yes, there is an ideal range, but plants can grow pretty far outside of that range with no ill effects other than slower growth...there are folks growing outside in coastal Maine where summer temps rarely even hit the mid 70s...if you're seeing major deficiencies at only 10 degrees below ideal temps, then something else is to blame...

That being said, I think as long as OP's watering practices are on point, then yeah slightly low temps are probably the biggest limiting factor.

jimbonorman said:

Autos are in a 2x2 with the sf-1000 at 19/5. Photos are in a 2x4 with the sf-2000 at 18/6

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Fair enough, wasn't sure if you had all in one space on 12/12 .
That's ruled that one out!

And FWIW I am seeing no deficiencies - had some wicked wind burn that looked like toxicity but I adjusted the fan two days ago and things are already turning around for that plant

jimbonorman said:

Autos are in a 2x2 with the sf-1000 at 19/5. Photos are in a 2x4 with the sf-2000 at 18/6

Click to expand...

I veg my photoperiods at 24 for the first couple weeks, dial it back to 20, then to flower. The extra hours help speed things along, and keep temps proper.

Some variety do better than others in cooler environments as well. Autos are better suited to cooler environments, which makes sense as the ruderalis comes from cooler regions than other variety. My autos are currently thriving and growing quickly in a fairly cool, basement envi, 67-73f with lights on, led, below 60 when off. Perhaps not ideal, but it already worked nicely the first go round and the current plants are doing even better.

No doubt you can grow a nice plant at 70°/60°; but you could grow the same plant substantially faster/bigger by raising the temperature 10+°
Temp and growth rate are highly correlated

Temp and humidity, like a central american jungle in veg.

Billy the Mountain said:

No doubt you can grow a nice plant at 70°/60°; but you could grow the same plant substantially faster/bigger by raising the temperature 10+°
Temp and growth rate are highly correlated

Click to expand...

No doubt. Wish my I could get things a little warmer in there, but they do ok. -20 this weekend not helping.